House Committee Advances Legislation to End Ban on Crude Oil Exports

The House Energy and Commerce Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives voted 31-19 on Sept. 17 to advance bipartisan legislation that would end the 40-year-old ban on exporting domestically produced crude oil.

Titled “To Adapt to Changing Crude Oil Market Conditions,” H.R. 702 was introduced by Chairman Emeritus Rep. Joe Barton (R-Texas) and Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas) and is expected to be considered by the full House later this month.

Republicans think the bill would benefit the U.S. economy and jobs. Rep. Barton said the ban on exporting crude oil imposes an estimated $200 billion to $600 billion cost to the U.S. economy, while discouraging crude oil production, preventing job creation and pushing up gasoline prices.

Democrats largely contested the bill, however, arguing that it would threaten energy prices. Reps. Gene Green (Texas), Kurt Schrader (Ore.) and Toyn Cardenas (Calif.) were the only Democrats who voted in favor of the measure.

Tiffany Wlazlowski Neuman

Tiffany Wlazlowski Neuman develops and executes communications strategies to advance NATSO’s public relations and advocacy goals. Tiffany also develops and oversees partnerships related to the NATSO Foundation’s public outreach initiatives. Tiffany lives in the D.C. metro area with her husband and their two sons.More